“I’ve created a monster”, the infamous phrase from Mary Shelley’s masterpiece was muttered in Monklands last week – not by Victor Frankenstein, but Louis Kuhn, owner of the Stone Crazy gym in Coatbridge.

Because within the walls of his secluded Greenhill industrial estate facility Louis has indeed helped make a man mountain – in the hulking shape of his client and pal, Brian Ratcliff.

“Big friendly giant” Brian and his wife Lee-Ann emigrated from Zimbabwe to Coatbridge in 2006 and, after only starting strongman training in 2014, the 6’4” 19st dad-of-two now competes in events all over Great Britain.

The 41-year-old electrician participated in the Scotland’s strongest man contest last month but an ill-timed shoulder injury put paid to any hopes he had of taking the title.

Strongman competitor Brian Ratcliff (Image: Media Scotland/Tom Dick)

Now, the strapping strongman has set his sights on a top-two finish at the UK masters – an achievement which would see him qualify for the world finals.

During a demanding workout at Stone Crazy, Brian took time out alongside Louis to explain his training and competing regime.

He told the Advertiser: “I just aim to keep progressing and improving.

“I work out four days a week and when I have an event coming up I’ll practice whatever disciplines they involve.

Brian, who is competing in the Highland strongman event in Inverness this weekend, continued: “I missed out on going to the world masters by one place but I’ve won competitions and claimed podium finishes before.

“I won a tournament in Fort William last year and came third in my first competition in Kent in 2015.

“My aim is to reach the masters world finals so I’ll have a good crack at that again next year.